Obedience Sometimes Precludes the "How"

"And Samuel said, 'How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.' And the LORD said, 'Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.' Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem..." (1 Samuel 16:2-4a, ESV)

Samuel's old. He's already had to anoint one king for Israel, even knowing that it was going to turn out badly. Now, the Lord is commanding him to go to another place to anoint the new king. Samuel knows that King Saul will kill him if he finds out.

God gives him directions and then says, "I will show you what you shall do." Samuel has to simply trust the Lord and know that He'll keep that promise. He does exactly that. "Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem."

I think about all the unknowns of having a baby, and I really don't know all the "how's." How will I survive sleep deprivation? How can I fight PPD if it comes? How will I have enough patience and kindness when I'm so selfish? How do I keep from giving up when life gets difficult?

I'm reminded from Samuel that obedience sometimes precludes understanding all the "how's." Baby Caleb is coming soon, and I know things I have to do. The "how's" will come as I obey the Lord and take care of my hubby, my baby, my home, and my small group.

As I pour myself out for others, God's promise will be fulfilled in my daily life:

"And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:11)